GB785468A - Preparation of fluid polyvalent metal phenates - Google Patents

Abstract

Oil-soluble polyvalent metal salts of phenolic compounds containing at least 10 carbon atoms for use as lubricating composition additives are produced, e.g. in mineral oil solution, by a process which comprises (a) preparing a solution of a polyvalent metal salt of the phenolic compound in a mixture containing a volatile organic solvent having a boiling point less than 170 DEG C., in which said salt is stable; (b) evaporating a major proportion of the volatile organic solvent from such solution at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of said polyvalent metal salt and (c) reacting the resulting material with from 0.1 to 2.5 moles. of water per mole. of polyvalent metal salt present. Phenolic compounds mentioned include alkylated phenols and naphthols and substitution products such chlorinated phenols and naphthols and phenol sulphides. Preferably, the phenolic compounds contain at least 10 aliphatic chain carbon atoms, preferably at least 20, in the form of alkyl or alkoxy radicals. Organic solvents mentioned include hydrocarbons, ethers, esters, alcohols and such ketones and aldehydes as are not reacted with phenolic compounds. Alcohols mentioned include methyl to iso-amyl and 2-methyl pentyl-4 alcohols. Basic metal salts may be prepared by forming the normal metal salts and after treatment with water and an excess of the appropriate metal alcoholate, further treating the product with water. Alternatively, the basic metal salt may be first prepared and treated with water. In examples: a mixture of magnesium methylate, methanol, octadecyl phenol and mineral oil is heated, concentrated and heated with water (1); in a similar process a polyisobutyl phenol containing an average of 32 carbon atoms per molecule is employed (2); dodecyl phenol is employed in a similar process (3); magnesium methylate in methanol is heated with the product of Example (2), the product is concentrated and treated with water (4); a mixture of sodium methylate, methanol octadecyl phenol and mineral oil is heated, zinc chloride in methanol is added and the mixture is concentrated and heated with water (5); polyisobutyl phenol is employed in a similar process (6); a mixture of sodium methylate, methanol, polyisobutyl-substituted phenol and zinc chloride is heated and concentrated, magnesium methylate in methanol is added and the mixture is heated, concentrated and again heated with water (7).ALSO:A method for producing a fluid, oil-soluble polyvalent metal salt of a phenolic compound, which phenolic compound contains a total of at least 10 carbon atoms, comprises the steps of (a) preparing a solution of a polyvalent metal salt of the phenolic compound in a mixture containing a volatile organic solvent having a boiling point less than 170 DEG C., in which said salt is stable; (b) evaporating a major proportion of the volatile organic solvent from such solution at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of said polyvalent metal salt; and (c) reacting with the resulting material from 0.1 to 2.5 mols. of water per mol. of polyvalent metal salt present. Phenolic compounds mentioned include alkylated phenols and naphthols and such substitution products as chlorinated phenols and naphthols and phenol sulphides. Preferably the phenolic compounds have in the molecule at least 10 aliphatic chain carbon atoms, preferably at least 20, e.g. in the form of alkyl or alkoxy radicals. Preferably such chains are derived from a polyisobutylene. Organic solvents mentioned include hydrocarbons, ethers, esters, alcohols and such ketones and aldehydes as are not reacted with phenolic compounds. Alcohols mentioned as suitable solvents include from methylto iso-amyl- and 2-methyl pentyl-4 alcohols. Basic metal salts may be prepared by forming the normal metal salts and after treatment with water and an excess of the appropriate metal alcoholate, further treating the product with water. Alternatively the basic metal salt may be first prepared and then treated with water. In examples: a mixture of magnesium methylate, methanol, octadecyl, phenol and mineral oil is heated under reflux, the product is concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue heated with water (1); in a similar process a polyisobutyl-substituted phenol containing an average of 32 carbon atoms per molecule is employed (2); dodecyl phenol is employed in a similar process (3); magnesium methylate in methanol is heated with the product of Example (2) and concentrated and treated with water (4); a mixture of sodium methylate, methanol, octadecyl phenol and minereal oil is heated, zinc chloride in methanol is added and the mixture is concentrated and the product is heated with water (5); a mixture of zinc chloride, sodium methylate, polyisobutyl phenol and mineral oil is heated, concentrated, and again heated with water (6); a mixture of sodium methylate, methanol, polyisobutyl-substituted phenol and zinc chloride is heated and concentrated, magnesium methylate in methanol is added and the mixture is heated, concentrated and again heated with water (7). Polyisobutyl phenol is prepared by heating phenol with a low molecular weight isobutylene polymer and a Friedel-Crafts catalyst, e.g. activated clay or aluminium chloride.